Considering the Kings and San Jose Sharks have developed a rivalry, it was good news for Kings fans Wednesday when the NHL announced the Kings will open their 2018-19 season by hosting San Jose on Oct. 5 at Staples Center.

This will be the fourth time in franchise history the Kings have taken on the Sharks in their home opener, but the first since 2015-16.

The Kings are 24-18-8 all-time in home-opening games. They began the 2017-18 campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 5.

The Kings’ full schedule will be released at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Kings are coming off a season in which they went 45-29-8 (98 points) to finish fourth in the Pacific Division. They were swept in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights, who eventually played for the Stanley Cup title, losing to the Washington Capitals.

Also Wednesday, the Kings announced they will begin spring training Sept. 14 at Toyota Sports Center, their training facility in El Segundo.

The NHL draft is Friday and Saturday, and the Kings will have the 20th pick in the first round as well as six other picks.